Door operating device



Oct. 21, 1941. E, LANE 2,260,080

DOOR OPERATING DEVICE Filed Aug. 14, 1959 1. mini HHHHIW 55 [01444212 ZA/V' INVENTOR.

BY W ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 21, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT. Oi-FICE noon OPEftffiG DEVICE Application August 14, 1939, Serial No. 290,116

. 3 Claims.

The present invention pertains to devices for operating doors by means of a pressure fluid from a plurality of locations at a distance from each other. The invention is particularly directed toward an hydraulic system for the selective operation of overhead doors, such as doors mounted for movement on a horizontal axis and is characterized by simplicity of the elements employed and low cost.

Although hydraulic systems for opening and closing doors have been described heretofore; the systems involved extensive piping, numerous valves and did not employ the action of gravity for the purpose of facilitating and expediting the movement of the door. In accordance with the present invention, fluid pressure is used in raising a door but the action of gravity is employed in lowering the door. Means are provided whereby the door is locked when closed so as to prevent manual raising thereof.

Generally stated, the invention comprises a cylinder pivotally mounted on an axis parallel to the pivotal axis of a door, a piston being carried by the cylinder, the piston and its rod being connected to the door at a point spaced from the pivotal axis of the door. Means are then provided for the regulated admission or release of fluid pressure to the bottom of the cylinder. In its preferred form, such means include two control valves located at suitably spaced and convenient locations so that the admission or release of fluid pressure to the cylinder may be controlled from either one of the two locations independently.

An object of the present invention, therefore,

is to disclose and provide a simple pressure fluid means for raising and lowering overhead type of doors.

, A further object is to provide a simple and ef--' fective fluid pressure means for raising and lowering doors, such means including independent controls at difierent locations.

. Other objects, advantages, uses and modifications of the invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of certain illustrative forms. In order to facilitate understanding, reference will be had to the appended drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section and partly diagrammatic, showing one method of arranging the elements.

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are diagrammatic representations of the control system indifferent positions.

5v is a side view, partly in section, of a release valve adapted for use in this system.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the device, illustrating the latching means.

Fig. 1 illustratesva building such as, for example, a garage, having a wall I and a door opening at 2. An overhead door in an intermediate position is indicated at 3, this door being adapted to assume the dotted position 3' when closed and the position 3" when open. The door 3 is provided at each side with a triangular frame having the legs 4 and 5, this frame being attached to the door, the legs 4 and 5 uniting at a bearing block 6 through which a horizontal pivot pin I extends, this pivot pin being suitably held in the side wall of the building or on a suitable pedestal or column.

Positioned to one side of the door opening and immediately below the triangular frame having the legs 4 and 5 is a cylinder I0; this cylinder being provided with a downwardly extending fin or fins II provided with a bearing adapted to receive a horizontally disposed pin I2 carried in a mounting or base I3. In the drawing, this base is shown embedded in the floor I4 of the building, although in many cases the base may be on the top of the floor. The cylinder, therefore, is mounted for pivotal movement on the pin I3, the axis of the pin being parallel to the pivotal axis of the door 3 determined by the hinge pins I. Slidably mounted within the cylinder I0 is a piston l5 attached to the end of a piston rod IS, the outer end of such ,rod being pivotally connected to the door as, forexample, to the leg 4 at a suitablepoint spaced from the pivotal axis of such door. A pivotal point of connection between the rod l6 and the leg 4 is indicated at IT.

A conduit, preferably of flexible construction or made of a relatively flexible metal such as copper, is connected to the lower 'end of the cylinder ID as indicated at 20, this conduit being adapted to supply pressure fluid to the lower end of the cylinder. I

'It will be evident that when pressure fluid is admitted into the lower end of cylinder III as by the conduit 20, the piston I5 is forced upwardly and the rod It raises the supporting framework and the door 3. Upward movement may be terminated by a suitable stop or bumper within a building, as indicated at 2| or by means of a flange or removable stop ring l0 fastened to the upper and irmer end of the cylinder l0. When fluid pressure is released through the conduit 20,

the door 3 will drop by gravity into the closed I position 3. The rate at which the door drops may be .regulated by controlling the aperture through. which the pressure fluid in conduit 20 is relieved. During the raising and lowering of the door in the manner described, the entire cylinder l pivots slightly upon the pin l2 in the mounting l3.

For purposes of illustration, a dual control is shown in the drawing, this dual control comprising a valve 25 at one location, say within the building I, and another valve 26 at a remote locatlon, for example, exteriorly of the building I. The valve 26 will hereafter be called a release valve and in Fig. 1 such valve is shown buried in a suitable vault 21 provided with a drain opening 28) A source of fluid pressure, such as for. example water from a main, is connected to the release valve 26 as by line 29. A suitable form of release valve is illustrated in- Fig. and comprises a body portion 30 having three ports 3|, 32 and 33. The conical valve body 34 may be provided with a transverse port 35 anda lateral channel 36. The ports or channels 35 and 36 form a T. The conical body 34 is rotatable in any suitable manner, Fig. 5 illustrating a handle 31. Diametrically opposed to the-lateral channel 36 is a smaller downwardly inclined channel 38 communicating with a vertical bore 39 extending through the stud 40 of the valve, the channel 39 forming a drain outlet. The stud 40 is provided with suitable lock nuts 4| for the purpose of properly retaining the valve 3 member 34 within the body 30. Figs. 2, 3 and 4 diagrammatically illustrate this valve in plan.

The port 3| ofthe valve 26 is connected to the source of fluid pressure such as the conduit 29. The ports or openings 32 and 33 connect to opposing ports in the body of the valve by means of lines 32' and 33'. The valve 25 is a two way valve having an angular channel 43 in its rotatable portion. The valve 25 is provided with three ports, however, the third port being connected to conduit 20.

When the release valve 26 is buried (to prevent frost damage) the vault 21 may be provided with an upstanding tubular member 45 through which a valve stem 46 extends, the valve stem 46 being provided at its lower end with means for gripping the rotatable body portion 34 of the release valve 26.

By now referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the operation of the system will become apparent. If, for example, it is desired to raise the door 3 by operation of the release valve 26, the valve 26 is rotated into the position shown in Fig. 2.

Fluid pressure from line 29 enters the lateral If, thereafter, it is' the door by operation of the same valve or from the same station, the member 34' is given a quarter turn from the position indicated in-Fig. 2 to the position indicated in Fig. 4, whereupon the conduit 20 is placed in communication with the port 32 of the release valve 26 and with the drainage and auxiliary outlet channels 33 and 39 of the valve so that pressure vfluid from the cylinder may flow und'er the pressure of the weight of the door through the valve.

Similarly, the door 3 may be either raised or lowered by simply operating the valve 25. Either one or both of the valves may thus be used either alone or in sequence, thus providing a system of great flexibility.

In order to maintain the door in closed position so as to prevent said door from being raised from the exterior, a latching means-is provided such as, for example, that shown in Fig. 6. The two legs of the pivoted frame are indicated at 4 and 5 and as shown may comprise channel irons r bolted together around the bearing block I through which the pivot pin 1 extends. The end of the piston rod l6 may be provided with a longitudinal slot 5|! through which the pivot pin |'I extends. The piston rod |6 may then be provided with a finger 5| having an inclined outer end portion adapted to engage an inclined surface 52 of a latch member 53 pivotally connected to the leg 4 as at 54. .The end of the latch member 53 is provided with the hook 55 adapted to extend under and engage a fixed stationary key, pin or other object 56 flrmly attached to the building. When the door is lowered and the piston rod descends, the hook 55 engages the key 56. When the door is being raised (by operation of a suitable valve), the upward motion of the rod |6 causes the finger 5| to move-the latch 53 out of engagement with the key 56 before upward movement is imparted to the door. In other words, means are provided for automatically unlatching the door immediately prior to elevation thereof. It may be noted that the length of the iongitudinal slot 50 should be shorter than the distance separating the hook 55 from the inclined face 52 of the latch member It is to be understood that the various pipes, conduits and valves may be buried or exposed, depending on climatic conditions under which they are used. The main cylinder I! may also be be buried in fixed position and the end of the pisis given a quarter turn to place it into the position shown in Fig. 3. It will now be seen that the pressure fluid, such as water in line 20, is caused to flow into conduit 33' which leads to the release valve 26. The conduit 33' is attached to the port 33 of the release valve 26 and is therefore in communication with the drainage outlet through channels 38 and 39. The water or other pressure fluid is therefore permitted to slowly flow from the cylinder l0 through line 20, valve 25 and line 33 out through the auxiliary outlet channel 39, the weight of the door forcingthe water out.

If after the door has been raised by operation of the valve 26 and it is now desired to lower ton rod can then be pivotally connected to a link having a pivoted connection to the door. Furthermore, the valves may be provided with suitable keys or locks so as to prevent unauthorized use thereof. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a number of modifications and changes can be made from the specific forms herein described. All changes and modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims are embraced thereby.

I claim:

l. A pressure controllfif gravity closing overhead door construction cluding: a door mounted on horizontal pivots spaced from the plane of the door, a substantially vertical cylinder adapted to rock on an axis parallel to the said pivots, a piston in said cylinder, connecting rod means connecting said piston with the door at a point spaced from the pivots; a stationary locking bar,

a latch member pivotally suspended from said inder for unlatching the latch means immediately prior to the raising of the door.

2. A pressure controlled, gravity closing overhead door construction including: a door mounted on horizontal pivots spaced from the plane of the door, a substantially vertical cylinder adapted to rock on an axis parallel to the said pivots, a piston in said cylinder, connecting rod means connecting said piston with the door at a point spaced from the pivots, a stationary locking bar, a latch member pivotally suspended from said door and adapted to engage the locking bar when the door is in lowered position, means actuated by the movement 01' the piston and cylinder for unlatching the'latch means immediately prior to the raising of the door, and means for regulatably admitting pressure fluid to one end only of the cylinder.

3. A pressure controlled, gravity closing over-' head door construction including: a door mounted on horizontal pivots spaced from the plane of the door, a substantially vertical cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, connecting rodmeans connecting said piston with the door at a point spaced from the pivots, a stationary locking bar, a latch member movably attached to said door and adapted to engage thelocking bar when the door is in lowered position, and means actuated by the movement of the piston for unlatching the latching means immediately prior to the raising of the door,

EDWARD LANE. 

